Interview of Made of Carpet

It's interview day!  Irina with Made of Carpet has introduced me to her WONDERFUL carpet bags.  These are literally made out of rugs!  For those of you who know me personally know that I am a purse-a-holic, so hopefully I will be able to use the wonderful discount that Irina has given us for a new bag :-)

NOTE to readers:  Irina is giving away a 50-pound Gift Certificate to one lucky person!  Comment below to enter the drawing.

Q.  What is your art/craft and how long have you been doing it?

A.  I design and completely supervise manufacturing of large Victorian vintage-style tote Carpet bags.

Because my bags are made not from a velvet- or velour-kind fabric or thin tapestry, but from real thick piled Oriental rugs that originally have been made to be used for their intended purpose, I had to adapt and update 150-years old Victorian technology of Carpet bags craft to be used today. It probably seems pretty simple but in reality there are plenty of tricks and pitfalls.

Rugs are also made especially for my purposes – they do not have anti-slippery cover but have couple of other special features (if I tell you which, I would have to kill you. Just kidding! J ), but it took nearly 8 months to figure out first of all what type of modern rugs will do the job and then find right adequate supplier. Considering that all my bags and materials they are made of manufactured in European Union and this was one of my main intentions (can you imagine Victorian-style bags, made in China? Ha-ha!), it was not easy.

I am not actually big fun of handmade products (except Savile Row level of quality, of course) that is why my bags are of the highest manufacturing quality standard.

The collection is very new – it is only 3.5 months old.

Q.  What got you started?

A.  Bags are my big (no, HUGE!) passion and I always wanted to create them, but I never had time and appropriate conditions - been a gipsy somewhere deep in my soul, I lived in six countries on three continents, until finally settled on our little rainy island, widely known as Great Britain. It was quite far back – one husband ago – but only now I managed to get deep enough to create a brand.

As to particular Carpet bags, besides they are beautiful and very pleasant to touch, I also don't have much (if any at all) competitors.

Q.  Are there any other arts and crafts that you would like to try your hand at? If so, why?

A.  Honestly? NO! I've spent 17 years as a Graphic Designer for print (and still do it yet) to be able to pay my living. Enough! No more client's amateur tests and filthy "visions".

I love bags, especially fuzzy ones. I have an idea of bags made of fringe, but it will be next level of my business and most probably different brand.

Q.  What are your favorite materials to use?

A.  Carpet so far.

Q.  What and/or who inspires you? 
A.  An inspiration mainly came from the Victorian Era's fashion and art. Here in Britain, even today, we experience a huge influence of that past – bridges and furniture, architecture and patterns... all come from there. Not to mention the achievements of [industry] of that time.

Then my inspiration was replenished with the impression of such charismatic literature characters as Mary Poppins and Miss Marple.

And finally the elegance and romance of the key style icons of the sixties, such as for example Jacquie O, to complete the picture.

Q.  Do you have a Coupon Code for your website?

A.  Yes I do! I have Voucher code line on Basket page of my online store http://www.madeofcarpet.com/

Coupons:

The codes vary and right now, till end of July we have summer birdie discount for 20 British Pounds (approximately 30 USD), code is MoC-Sum11.

Free delivery – 30 British Pounds. Code will be created tonight and will be Myria-BBA  This code will be valid till the end of August.

Website: www.madeofcarpet.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Made-of-Carpet/125411940872079?sk=wall
Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/browse.html?ie=UTF8&marketplaceID=A1F83G8C2ARO7P&me=A2RBFI5PY6LZZ8

 As I mentioned before - Irina is giving away a 50-pound Gift Certificate to one lucky person! 

Comment below +1 entry

Share on Facebook +1 entry

Share on Twitter +1 entry

Purchase from Made of Carpet +5 entries

Purchase from Beloved Bijou +5 entries

Good luck! <3

Myria

Interview of Uniqlets Jewelry

Hello Readers,

I'm back again with my weekly artist interview.  Today I will feature Lisa with Uniqlets Jewelry.  I love her stuff - especially her bracelets!  She uses vintage and antique odds and ends (and BUTTONS!) to create truly unique statement pieces.  I think you will enjoy her work and her story :-)

Q.  What is your art/craft and how long have you been doing it?

A.  I make jewelry using vintage/antique materials from the Victorian era through the 1970's I have been doing it on and off for about 15 years and the look of my pieces has evolved over time. It was mainly a hobby for most of that time, I started my web site this year.

Q.  What got you started?

A.  I began by making vintage button bracelets. My grandmother sewed all of her life and saved any interesting buttons. When she died, I wanted to do something with her buttons because they were attached to so many memories. I don't make clothing, but I love jewelry so the solution was obvious.

Q.  What are your favorite materials to use?

A.  I like using a mixture of materials and to try to stick with things that are vintage and re purposed. I still use a lot of buttons in a wide variety of materials including bakelite, carved glass and wood. Now I like to make my designs more interesting by also using old jewelry parts, game pieces, buckles and anything with an interesting form, texture and color.


Q.  What and/or who inspires you? 
A.  I am inspired by the bold vintage jewelry that I have been collecting for many years. The other inspiration comes from the materials. The designs come from what I see when I put them next to each other and play around. I also love to create custom pieces jumping off a customer's favorite look, colors or the look of a single earring or piece of broken jewelry that holds special memories.

Q.  Do you have a Coupon Code for your Etsy Shop and/or website?

A.  I am happy to offer a discount for readers of this blog.

The code BLOG will get the reader 15% off on any piece of my handcrafted jewelry. Shipping is free on anything priced more than $200.00

Website:  http://www.uniqlets.com/
                http://handmadeartistsshop.com/shop/Uniqlets,%20Jewelry%20by%20Lisa
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Uniqlets-Jewelry-by-Lisa/129228897137575


Thank you again,
Lisa

Interview of brandMOJO

Hello Readers,

This is the first of a series of interviews that I'm going to be doing on artists and craftspeople that I find to be exceptionally interesting.  I hope you will feel the same :-)

Today you will read the interview of Marisa of brandMOJO Images:

Q.  What is your art/craft and how long have you been doing it? A.  I started taking pictures when I was a kid with my Polaroid Rainbow SX-70. Fast forward through many years, many various cameras and many excursions to today. I have been shooting professionally for over 13 years, both fine art and commercial photography.   Q.  What got you started?  A.  I took a Photo 101 course in college which led me to start working as a photojournalist at the college paper. I loved the thrill of being in the mix of capturing life as it happened. Being in the right spot at the right time. This continues to be a common thread among all of my photos: being in the moment. I rarely stage my photos, but rather I move myself to get just the right image.  Q.  Are there any other arts and crafts that you would like to try your hand at? If so, why?  A.  I would love to start working with wood. My husband builds fine furniture (brandMOJO Interiors) and has slews of scrap wood for me. My goal for this year is to decoupage my photos onto wood, to build birdhouses, to carve burl bowls, and anything else I can tackle. Nothing is as cathartic as getting immersed in an art project. Q.  What are your favorite materials to use?  A.  I absolutely love using vintage and antique cameras to take black and white photographs. They were used before color film was the norm and they create detail that is so tactile. I do tend to use my Nikon D90 to photograph most things now, as films are getting harder to come by. But my favorite black and white film is Agfa Scala, a gorgeous slide film.   Q.  What and/or who inspires you? A.  I am inspired by so many current photographers and artists, there are too many to name, but those who I admire most are Henri Cartier Bresson, Lewis Hine, and W. Eugene Smith. Q.  Do you have a Coupon Code for your Etsy Shop and/or website?  A.  I tend to run select specials where a certain percentage of the sale of an image will go to a reputable non-profit, such as the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund and also Animal Rescue Kansai.  Etsy Shop: brandMOJOimages (http://www.etsy.com/shop/brandmojoimages Blog: http://brandmojoimages.blogspot.com/ Website:  [my new site is under construction, but here's my first one]  http://brandmojoimages.webs.com/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/brandMOJO-Images/145821875431245 Thank you so much for this great opportunity, Myria!  The best to you as well.  The warmest of regards, Marisa

Vote for your June Favorite...

Hi ladies,
One of my necklaces was nominated again! :-)  (see below for the contest link)

I didn't win last time but maybe this time...
Please share with your friends/family.

Thank you!
Myria Mandell
Beloved Bijou Adornments & Accessories
http://www.facebook.com/belovedbijou
http://belovedbijou.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/myriamandell
http://www.belovedbijou.com
http://heartsy.me/users/39245/referral
beloved.bijou@yahoo.com
505-417-5437

----- Forwarded Message ----
From: New Mexy Etsy Team Blog <no-reply@wordpress.com>
Subject: [New post] Vote for your June Favorite...

Vote for your June Favorite... Charlie | July 6, 2011 at 8:40 pm | Tags: june, monthly design challenge, New Mexy Etsy, sunset | Categories: Monthly Challenge | URL: http://wp.me/p1bwOJ-ax

Our New Mexy team members hit the studios hard to capture the beautiful New Mexican Sunsets in their craft. Here is what they produced:

[1] Upcycled Clay Necklace; [2]New Mexico Sunset Necklace; [3] Extreme Sunset Ripples Peyote Cuff; [4] Rising Urban Sun Vase
View Poll

Add a comment to this post

DIY Tie Die

Back in the day...which would be the late 1980's & early 1990's, when I was obsessed with bleach dying the life out of my jeans (hey - it was cool...) I didn't really have a technique that I used.  Nope, just some good ole Clorox and a washing machine.  Sometimes I would tie the fabric in knots.

Recently I came across this awesome and easy technique for fashionable Tie Dye.

You’ll need:
- a 100% cotton black shirt (a Free People tee was used in the photos)
- a few cups of bleach
- a bucket
- a pair of gloves
- a few rubber bands
- 2 flat shaped objects used for binding

To make a grid-like pattern, fold the shirt like an accordion and bind it between two pieces of wood or other flat shaped objects. Hold the shirt in place by wrapping a series of rubber bands around the bind. Anything used to bind the clothing will prevent the bleach from penetrating, and the rest of the exposed fabric will bleach and turn color. Click here for more binding alternatives.

Before you start bleaching, make sure you are wearing gloves and working outdoors or in a well ventilated area. Dilute approximately 4 cups of bleach with 1 cup of water. Submerge the shirt into the bleach for only a couple of seconds. Watch it very carefully because depending on the thread count of the clothing, the color can turn very quickly and the bleach may start to erode the fabric. As soon as the black transforms into a rusty brown color, immediately remove it from the bleach. Give it a quick rinse, unbind it, and then hang it. (Click images to enlarge)

The rusty brown color will slowly fade into a beautiful lighter shade as it begins to set. Once its dry, wash the shirt in a washing machine.

Your reverse bleach tie dye shirt is ready to wear!

images by HonestlyWTF

I found this DIY HERE

Here are some more awesome images for inspiration